♪♪ ♪♪ >>> GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS."

I'M DONNA LOWRY IN ATLANTA.

IT'S DAY ONE OF THE 40-DAY 2021 LEGISLATE SESSION, AND AS USUAL WE EXPECT A LOT TO COME OUT OF THIS SESSION.

WITH THE BUDGET AS THE TALLEST ORDER AND THE MAIN REASON LAWMAKERS CONVENED.

WE EXPECT A LIVELY 40 DAYS ON EVERYTHING FROM ELECTION REFORM TO ISSUES INVOLVING THE CORONAVIRUS.

OUR PANEL OF JOURNALISTS WILL LOOK DOWN THE ROAD FOR US ON THIS SESSION AND GIVE US THEIR TAKE ON THE COMING WEEKS.

BUT FIRST THE CAPITOL IS UNDERGOING SOME MAJOR CHANGES IN ITS PHYSICAL APPEARANCE AND PROCEDURES.

PLUS, THE CONTROVERSIAL ELECTION RESULTS IN GEORGIA BROUGHT PROTESTS.

HERE TO TALK ABOUT ALL OF THAT AND MORE IS OUR NEW LAWMAKER CAPITOL CORRESPONDENT, BRENDA WATERS, BRENDA IS ALSO NEW TO GEORGIA.

SHE IS A VETERAN REPORTER FROM KDKA DETECTIVE IN PITTSBURGH.

WELCOME, BRENDA, YOU'VE REALLY HAD TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING, HAVEN'T YOU?

>> ABSOLUTELY, DONNA, THANK YOU FOR THE WELCOME, AND WHAT A TIME IT IS TO BE IN GEORGIA COVERING POLITICS.

A LOT OF FOLKS ARE MOVING HERE, AS YOU KNOW, AND THEY'RE BRINGING THEIR POLITICS WITH THEM, SO WE'RE SEEING THINGS CHANGE RIGHT BEFORE OUR EYES, AND THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO BE HERE, SO THANK YOU FOR THAT WELCOME.

NOW, WE ALL KNOW BY NOW THAT THOUSANDS OF TRUMP SUPPORTERS RALLIED IN WASHINGTON, D.C., LAST WEDNESDAY, AND THEY WERE SAYING THAT THEY TOOK OVER THE U.S. CAPITOL.

THEY STORMED THE BUILDING.

AN OFFICER WAS KILLED AND ALSO A WOMAN WAS SHOT AND KILLED AS WELL.

NOW, THERE WAS A PROTEST HERE OUTSIDE THE STATE CAPITOL HERE IN GEORGIA, BUT NOTHING OF THAT MAGNITUDE.

THEY GATHERED OUTSIDE IN FRONT OF THE CAPITOL BUILDING, NOT A LARGE CROWD, BUT THE MESSAGE WAS LOUD AND CLEAR.

>> I'M JUST HERE TO SUPPORT MY PRESIDENT.

I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF WRONGDOINGS GOING ON IN THE ELECTION.

>> Reporter: A HUSBAND AND WIFE FROM DAHLONEGA, GEORGIA, LUMPKIN COUNTY SAY LIKE MANY OTHERS, INCLUDING THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF, THAT THE ELECTION WAS A FRAUD, AND IT WAS STOLEN FROM HIM.

>> I THINK THEY NEED TO DO A WHOLE NEW RECOUNT.

EVERYTHING NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED, LIKE THEY'RE TRYING TO DO TODAY.

THEIR OBJECTION TO THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTES SO THEY CAN DO A TEN-DAY INVESTIGATION.

WHY WOULDN'T YOU LET THEM INVESTIGATE?

IF THERE'S NOTHING WRONG, LET THEM CHECK.

>> Reporter: LAST WEDNESDAY AT THE U.S. CAPITOL, THINGS TURNED VIOLENT.

A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WERE KILLED INCLUDING A WOMAN WHO WAS SHOT AND KILLED BY A U.S. CAPITOL POLICE OFFICER, AN OFFICER ALSO DIED.

PROTESTERS STORMED THE BUILDING STOPPING THE ELECTORAL VOTE COUNT.

THE HOUSE AND SENATE WERE EVACUATED, BUT RECONVENED LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND PRESIDENT-ELECT BIDEN AND VICE PRESIDENT-ELECT HARRIS WERE CERTIFIED.

SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE DAVID WALSTON REACTS TO THE VIOLENT PROTESTS IN WASHINGTON.

>> SHOCKING AND INDEFENSIBLE IMAGES.

MY THOUGHT THEN AND STILL IS TODAY THAT I PRAY WE CAN MOVE BEYOND THIS VERY UGLY CHAPTER IN OUR HISTORY AS A MORE UNITED NATION.

>> Reporter: THE PROTEST IN ATLANTA WAS ORGANIZED BY CHESTER DOLES, A FORMER KKK MEMBER WHO NOW HEADS AMERICAN PATRIOTS USA.

HE'S THE MAN WEARING A WHITE SHIRT AND SUSPENDERS.

THE GROUP HOISTED AMERICAN FLAGS, FLAGS THAT READ TRUMP 2020, AND STOP THE STEAL.

THIS GROUP WAS ESCORTED INSIDE THE STATE CAPITOL BY POLICE WHERE THEY HAD HOPED TO GIVE THE SECRETARY OF STATE A STATEMENT, WHICH CAN BE SEEN IN DOLES' HANDS.

IT OUTLINED THEIR GRIEVANCES REGARDING THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

INSTEAD, THEY LEFT THE STATEMENT WITH A CLERK AND LEFT THE CAPITOL PEACEFULLY.

>> IF BIDEN WINS LEGALLY AND FAIRLY, THEN BIDEN'S OUR PRESIDENT.

>> Reporter: SO UNLIKE WHAT HAPPENED AT THE U.S. CAPITOL AS YOU SAW, THIS GROUP DID LEAVE HERE PEACEFULLY.

>> YEAH, WELL, BRENDA ANOTHER THING PEOPLE MAY NOTICE AS THEY COME DOWN TO THE CAPITOL, LOTS OF CONSTRUCTION.

NOT INSIDE THE BUILDING BUT OUTSIDE.

TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT.

>> QUITE A BUSY PLACE.

NOW, THE PLAN IS TO BUILD AN EIGHT FOOT HIGH FENCE AROUND THE BUILDING.

IT WILL HAVE SPIKES ON TOP OF IT TO PREVENT ANYONE FROM CLIMBING OVER.

THIS IS PART OF A $5 MILLION PACKAGE APPROVED BY GOVERNOR BRIAN KEMP AFTER MONTHS OF PERIODIC PROTESTS AT THE CAPITOL THAT CENTERED AROUND POLICE REFORM AND REMOVING CONFEDERATE STATUTES.

NOW, TEMPORARY BARRICADES WENT UP AROUND THE BUILDING AROUND THE LAWN AND A STATUE OF JOHN GORDON BROWN, A CONFEDERATE GENERAL, A GOVERNOR, A U.S.

SENATOR, AND A KKK MEMBER.

NOW, THIS IS JUST A PRELIMINARY STAGE FOR THE BUILDING OF THAT FENCE.

>> WELL, BRENDA, IT WAS CERTAINLY A BUSY WEEK BEFORE EVEN THE FIRST DAY OF THE SESSION.

HOUSE SPEAKER DAVID RALSTON HELD A PRESESSION QUESTION AND ANSWER FOR THE MEDIA, AND BRENDA, WHAT DID HE HAVE ON HIS AGENDA?

ACTUALLY, SPEAKER RALSTON TALKED ABOUT SOMETHING RIGHT OFF THE TOP THAT I'M SURE IS ON EVERYONE'S MIND, AND NEWSCAST ELECTION REFORM, AND HE IS CERTAIN THIS WILL COME UP THIS SESSION.

>> I AM CERTAIN THAT THE TOPIC OF ELECTION REFORM WILL BE FRONT AND CENTER GIVEN THE CONCERNS THAT WE'VE HEARD OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS.

AS SUCH, I'M ANNOUNCING TODAY THAT I WILL BE APPOINTING A SPECIAL COMMITTEE IN THE HOUSE ON ELECTION INTEGRITY.

LEGISLATION TO DEAL WITH SOME OF THE CONCERNS FROM THE PANDEMIC THAT WE'VE HAD.

MENTAL HEALTH IS GOING TO BE A REAL PRIORITY OF MIND THIS SESSION, AND OH, YEAH, PASS A BALANCED BUDGET.

>> THAT'S RIGHT, PASS THE BUDGET.

OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST, MASKS ARE REQUIRED IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

SOCIAL DISTANCE, WELL, THAT'S STILL IN PLACE.

IN THE HOUSE, iPADS WILL BE USED FOR ROLL CALL, AND THERE WILL BE A NO VERBAL ROLL CALL HERE, AND THE PAID PROGRAM HAS BEEN SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

AND GUESTS OR GROUPS IN THE HOUSE ARE NOT PERMITTED ANY LONGER, AND THE CHAPLAIN, THOUGH, IS STILL IN PLACE.

THAT PLAN REMAINS IN PLACE.

THERE WILL ALSO BE COVID TESTING TWICE A WEEK.

THIS IS VIDEO OF THAT TESTING GOING ON.

THAT'S HOUSE MEMBERS AND STAFF AND THAT'S GOING ON IN ROOM 230 IN THE CAPITOL ON MONDAY AND THURSDAY DURING THE SESSION PERIOD, AND TEMPERATURES WILL BE TAKEN AT THE DOOR.

MY TEMPERATURE WAS TAKEN AS I CAME IN TODAY.

SO AS YOU CAN SEE ALL THE PRECAUTIONS ARE IN PLACE.

>> THEY CERTAINLY ARE.

I WAS DOWN AT THE CAPITOL TODAY, AND THE FIRST DAY OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION CAME WITH THE USUAL POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE.

JUST A LITTLE TONED DOWN THIS YEAR DUE TO THE COVID CONCERNS AND BEEFED UP SECURITY, OF COURSE.

YOU WERE INSIDE THE HOUSE AND SENATE CHAMBERS, AND HOW ABOUT AN IDEA OF THE RUNDOWN OF THE DAY'S EVENTS?

>> OKAY.

WELL, THIS WAS ALL NEW TO ME, AND IT WAS PRETTY EXCITING SO THE BELL WENT OFF.

THEN THERE WAS A PRAYER, THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, AND OF COURSE THE NATIONAL ANTHEM.

♪ OH, SAY CAN YOU SEE ♪ ♪ BY THE DAWN'S EARLY LIGHT ♪ >> MY FELLOW GEORGIANS.

I AM HONORED TO WELCOME EACH OF YOU TO THE 2021 SESSION OF THE GEORGIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

>> HOUSE SPEAKER DAVID RALSTON WAS REELECTED.

HIS 11th YEAR, AND JAN JONES WAS REELECTED AS SPEAKER PRO TEM.

ACROSS THE CAPITOL BUILDING IN THE SENATE, THE ATTACK ON THE U.S. CAPITOL LAST WEDNESDAY WAS ON THE MIND OF SENATOR EMMANUEL JONES, AND SAID THOSE INVOLVED SHOULD STEP ASIDE.

>> I BELIEVE THAT THOSE WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE ATTEMPTED OVERTHROW AND ALL THE DARK MONEY THAT SUPPORTED THEIR EFFORTS SHOULD BE PROSECUTED TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW.

IT'S MY OPINION THAT THE SCALE OF JUSTICE SHOULD APPLY EQUALLY TO EVERYONE REGARDLESS OF THEIR WEALTH OR INFLUENCE OR POSITION IN LIFE.

>> TALKED ABOUT SPIKES IN COVID NUMBERS IN GEORGIA AND WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN NEXT SINCE GEORGIA IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE LIST IN GETTING THE VACCINE OUT TO THOSE WHO NEED IT DESPERATELY.

>> THIS IS SERIOUS.

IT'S DEADLY.

WE HAVE LOST COUNTLESS LIVES, HORRIBLE NUMBERS FOR THE DEATH RATES HERE IN GEORGIA.

I KNOW I'M LOOKING AT THE FACES OF PEOPLE WHO SHARE THIS CONCERN.

I'M NOT LAUNCHING AN ATTACK ON YOU.

I'M SAYING LET US BRING OUR VERY BEST EFFORTS TO BE PART OF THE LEADERSHIP IN THIS STATE THAT TAKES ON THIS CHALLENGE OF GETTING THIS VACCINE ROLLED OUT.

>> AND ONE MORE POINT OF INTEREST FOR TODAY, AND THIS IS PRETTY BIG.

CROSSOVER DAY MAY CHANGE NOW.

THAT IS GENERALLY THE LAST DAY WHEN A BILL CAN PASS FROM ONE CHAMBER TO THE OTHER, AND THAT HAS HAPPENED GENERALLY THE 28th DAY OF THE 40-DAY SESSION.

BUT TODAY THE GEORGIA SENATE ADOPTED A RULE SAYING IT CAN'T HAPPEN ANY LATER THAN THE 27th DAY, AND IT COULD HAPPEN EVEN EARLIER.

DONNA.

>> AND THAT IS A BIG CHANGE.

THANKS, BRENDA.

THANKS FOR JOINING OUR TEAM.

WE'RE GLAD TO HAVE YOU.

>>> NOW WE'RE GOING TO DISCUSS SOME OF THE ISSUES BRENDA TOUCHED ON AND MUCH MORE WITH JOURNALISTS WHO HAVE SPENT A BUSY SUMMER AND FALL COVERING POLITICS IN GEORGIA, GPB'S POLITICAL AND ELECTIONS REPORTER STEVEN FOWLER AND POLITICAL REPORTER FOR CNHI RILEY BUNCH.

WELCOME, GLAD TO HAVE YOU GUYS BOTH HERE.

WE'VE HAD A POWER PACKED NEWS CYCLE FOR MONTHS, BUT LATELY WE'VE HAD A RISE IN COVID-19 CASES, AN INSURRECTION AT THE U.S. CAPITOL AND A DEMOCRATIC FLIP IN TWO OF GEORGIA'S STATEWIDE RACES FOR THE FIRST TIME IN DECADES.

ALL OF THAT IN THE WEEK LEADING TO TODAY'S START OF THE 2021 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

SO LET'S START WITH THE GOVERNOR TODAY EXTENDING HIS EXECUTIVE ORDER ON UNLAWFUL PROTESTS USING THE NATIONAL GUARD.

RILEY, WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT HIS ORDER AND WHAT IT ALL MEANS FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVEN'T REALIZED WE'VE HAD IT?

>> YOU KNOW, IT WASN'T SURPRISING THAT THE GOVERNOR EXTENDED HIS ORDER.

I THINK IT WAS SUPPOSED TO END TODAY.

THERE IS CONCERN AT THE CAPITOL.

THERE'S DEFINITELY CONCERN THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE SAFETY BREACHES, SILENT PROTESTS.

AFTER WHAT WE SAW LAST WEEK AT THE U.S. CAPITOL, THEY ARE NOT GOVERNOR KEMP, SPEAKER RALSTON, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR CAME OUT LAST WEEK.

THEY SAID THEY WEREN'T GOING TO STAND FOR IT, AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE'VE SEEN FROM THEM SO FAR.

>> AND WE HAD THE -- WHAT HAPPENED IN WASHINGTON LAST WEEK, AND SO I THINK THAT PROBABLY HAS A LITTLE TO DO WITH IT, ALTHOUGH I KNOW HE'S CONCERNED ABOUT GEORGIA IN PARTICULAR.

STEVEN, ARE YOU HEARING ANYTHING FROM LAWMAKERS ABOUT THE VIOLENCE IN WASHINGTON LAST WEEK, AND ARE THERE FEAR AT THE CAPITOL, ANY PRECAUTIONS THEY MAY TAKE?

>> THERE IS A GREAT CONCERN BECAUSE OF WHAT YOU SAW, BECAUSE YOU SAW ATTACKS ON THE NATION'S CAPITOL.

YOU SAW JOURNALISTS BEING ATTACKED.

YOU SAW JUST KIND OF INDISCRIMINATE VIOLENCE IN THE NAME OF THIS FALSE CLAIM OF ELECTION FRAUD, AND SO LAWMAKERS IN GEORGIA'S HOUSE, THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE ARE CONCERNED THAT SOME SIMILAR THINGS COULD HAPPEN.

WE HEARD FROM BRENDA THAT THERE WERE PROTESTS OUTSIDE OF THE CAPITOL.

IT WAS A SMALL GROUP, BUT THE FBI SAYS THAT THERE ARE PLANS FOR PROTESTS AT ALL 50 STATE CAPITOLS HAPPENING IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, AND THERE'S DEFINITELY MORE SECURITY CAPITOL THIS MORNING, I COUNTED ABOUT THREE DOZEN GEORGIA STATE PATROL OFFICERS AND CAPITOL POLICE THERE ALL ALONG THE WAY, AND THAT'S A PRESENCE THAT YOU WOULD PROBABLY EXPECT TO SEE IN THE COMING WEEKS.

>> YEAH, AND I SAW ONE OF THOSE SMALL TANKS EARLY ON.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS THERE THE WHOLE TIME BUT AS I CAME IN.

BEFORE WE TALK ABOUT THE SPECIFICS OF THE DECISION, I WANT TO LOOK AT SOME OF THE STORIES YOU BOTH HAVE COVERED OVER THE RECENT MONTHS THAT WILL IMPACT US OVER THE NEXT 40 DAYS, AND RILEY, YOU COVERED SOME OF THE TRUMP RALLIES, AND ONE IN PARTICULAR, WE'RE GOING TO PUT UP A PICTURE, A REALLY GREAT PICTURE THAT YOU TOOK BECAUSE YOU'RE A GOOD PHOTOGRAPHER AT A RALLY IN VALDOSTA, WAS IT?

>> PRESIDENT TRUMP, YOU KNOW, HE WAS SUPPOSED TO COME TO GEORGIA AND CAMPAIGN FOR SENATOR PERDUE AND SENATOR LOEFFLER, BUT DURING HIS, YOU KNOW, HOUR LONG SPEECH, THIS WASN'T NECESSARILY THE CASE.

HE SPENT A LOT OF THE TIME PERPETUATING BASELESS CLAIMS ABOUT VOTER FRAUD PARTICULARLY IN GEORGIA CALLING OUT GOVERNOR KEMP, CALLING OUT OUR SECRETARY OF STATE AND REALLY RILING THE CROWD, AND I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO SEE PLAY OUT IN THE STATE HOUSE POLITICS THIS YEAR IS WHAT HOUSE MEMBERS, WHAT SENATE MEMBERS ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO, YOU KNOW, LATCH ONTO THESE CLAIMS, EVEN THOUGH TRUMP IS OUT OF OFFICE, AND KIND OF STAND UP AGAINST SENATE LEADERSHIP.

I THINK THAT THE RIFT IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, IT MIGHT PLAY INTO SOME OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS.

>> I WAS GOING TO ASK ABOUT THAT PICTURE.

IT WAS PRESIDENT TRUMP TELLING THE CROWD TO LOOK AT THE MEDIA.

THAT WAS INTIMIDATING?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND IT KIND OF WAS NO SURPRISE TO JOURNALISTS WHO HAVE BEEN ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL WITH THIS PRESIDENT.

I HAVE MULTIPLE PICTURES FROM MULTIPLE RALLIES OF HIM TELLING THE CROWD TO TURN AROUND, POINT AT THE FAKE NEWS MEDIA IN THE BACK AT THAT PARTICULAR RALLY.

WE WERE VERY CLOSE TO THE CROWD AND IT WAS NO SURPRISE, BUT IT DOESN'T DIMINISH THE FACT THAT HE'S TELLING THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE TO COME AFTER JOURNALISTS, COME AFTER THE MEDIA, AND THAT'S SCARY.

>> YEAH.

AND WE'VE GOT -- WE'RE JUST GLAD YOU'RE SAFE BUT WE'VE GOT TO SEE WHAT EFFECT THAT HAS ON SOME OF SUPPORTING HIM.

NOW, STEVEN, LONG BEFORE EVERYTHING CLOSED DOWN, LONG BEFORE -- ACTUALLY, IN 2019 YOU STARTED REALLY DIGGING INTO THE ELECTION, AND SO YOU'VE GOT A PICTURE -- A FEW PICTURES YOU WANT TO SHOW US, TOO.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THEM.

I THINK ONE OF THEM SHOWS A LITTLE BIT OF SOMETHING AT STATE FARM ARENA?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

SO FIRST YOU HAVE TO GO TO THE JUNE 9th PRIMARY ELECTION.

IT WAS PANNED AS A DISASTER, LONG LINES ALL OVER METRO ATLANTA.

THE LAST VOTE ACTUALLY WASN'T CAST UNTIL JUNE 10th BECAUSE OF THOSE LINES, AND FULTON COUNTY IN PARTICULAR WAS UNDER THE GUN, AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE HELD A PRESS CONFERENCE SAYING HE WANTED TO INTERVENE IN COUNTIES AND SAYING THAT FULTON HAD A HISTORY OF THESE SORT OF PROBLEMS, AND FROM THERE FULTON KICKED IT INTO OVERDRIVE.

THEY GOT A BUNCH OF MONEY.

THEY GOT A BUNCH OF FUNDING AND THEY'RE LIKE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE 80% OF OUR PEOPLE VOTE EARLY.

PART OF THAT WAS HELPED BY THIS PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ATLANTA HAWKS WHERE THEY TURNED THE BASKETBALL ARENA INTO AN EARLY VOTING SITE, AND THIS PICTURE I TOOK WAS THE FIRST DAY OF EARLY VOTING.

THERE WAS A LONG, LONG LINE OF PEOPLE WAITING TO VOTE IN THIS ARENA, AND MY FAVORITE PART OF THAT -- I DIDN'T CATCH IT AT FIRST -- IS A GUY STANDING THERE WITH A 2020 SUCKS SHIRT.

THAT SUMS UP A LOT OF PEOPLE'S FEELINGS ABOUT HOW THE ELECTION WENT.

>> AS REPORTERS YOU'VE BECOME REALLY GOOD PHOTOGRAPHERS IN PICKING UP ON THINGS.

LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT, RILEY, HOW DO YOU THINK THE CONTINUED WORRIES OVER THE PANDEMIC WILL AFFECT THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION?

>> WELL, I MEAN I THINK THE QUESTION IS HOW WILL IT NOT AFFECT THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION?

WE HAVE SO MUCH CONCERN OVER THE STATE BUDGET, THAT IS THE BIG THING THAT'S TOP OF MIND.

ARE WE GOING TO HAVE SOME MONEYS BACK FOR STATE AGENCIES AND THEN THE QUESTION IF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS TO SUSPEND AGAIN.

IF CASES GET TO SUCH A POINT WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO, YOU KNOW, CALL IT QUITS IF THEY DON'T GET THAT BUDGET DONE, STATE AGENCIES MIGHT BE LEFT WITHOUT FUNDS TO FIGHT THE GENERAL CONCERN FROM LAWMAKERS.

ARE WE GOING TO GET OTHER LEGISLATION PASSED THIS SESSION.

IT'S DEFINITELY LOOMING OVER THE CAPITOL.

>> YEAH, WHAT WE HEARD ABOUT FROM BRENDA ABOUT CROSSOVER DAY HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE POSSIBILITY THAT WE MAY SEE A SHORTENED SESSION OR SOME CHANGE, RIGHT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND IF THEY DON'T GET BILLS ACROSS BY THAT DAY, THOSE BILLS ARE NOT GOING THROUGH, AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO SEE THEM HAPPEN THIS SESSION.

>> SEW LET'S TALK ABOUT SOME BILLS YOU SEE COMING DOWN THE PIKE.

ANYTHING THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION?

>> WELL, I THINK ONE OF THE BIG THINGS THAT WE'LL SEE DONNA IS VOTING LEGISLATION.

AFTER A RECORD TURNOUT IN NOVEMBER'S ELECTION AND IN THE JANUARY RUNOFF, A LOT OF REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS HAVE SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LAWS AND RULES THAT THEY PUT IN PLACE DECADES AGO AND HAVE USED.

THERE ARE QUESTIONS ABOUT ABSENTEE VOTING.

SOME OF THAT UNFOUNDED BASED ON THE PRESIDENT'S CLAIMS OF WIDESPREAD ELECTION FRAUD, BUT ALSO, TOO, DEMOCRATS WANT TO SEE CHANGES FROM THE REPUBLICAN-LED SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE.

I SAW A BILL PREFILED TODAY THAT WOULD GET RID OF THE RESTRICTIONS FOR FELONS UNABLE TO VOTE, AND THERE'S BILLS TRYING TO CHANGE THE RUNOFF RULES, AND THERE'S BILLS THAT HAVE BEEN BANDIED AROUND TO CRACK DOWN ON ABSENTEE VOTING AND REALLY, AFTER THIS ELECTION WHERE GEORGIA VOTED FOR A DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NEARLY THREE DECADES AND FLIPPED THE U.S. SENATE, THERE IS A REAL CONCERTED PUSH TO KIND OF REIN IN THOSE LAWS EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE LAWS THAT REPUBLICANS PUT THIS PLACE AND HAVE LARGELY TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF UNTIL RECENT YEARS.

>> ALL RIGHT, BEFORE WE FINISH UP, I WANT TO TALK TO YOU, RILEY, VACCINE, VACCINE, VACCINE, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE ALL THINKING ABOUT LATELY.

WE KNOW THAT THE RURAL AREAS -- AND THAT'S SOME OF THE AREAS YOU COVER -- THEY HAVE BEEN REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS.

WHAT ARE WE SEEING IN THE RURAL AREAS IN TERMS OF HAVING THE VACCINE AND PEOPLE TAKING IT?

>> WELL, I THINK THERE'S TWO DIFFERENT SIDES OF CONCERN.

THERE'S THE STATE CONCERN SIDE WHERE YOU HAVE HEALTH CARE MUCH MORE RELUCTANT TO TAKE THIS VACCINE, AND THEY HAVE IT SITTING IN THEIR FREEZERS, GOVERNOR KEMP AND COMMISSIONER TOOMEY SAID, AND THEN THERE'S THE OTHER SIDE OF IT WHERE THERE'S WORRY ABOUT INEQUITY IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF THAT VACCINE GETTING TO RURAL AREAS, GETTING TO MINORITY AREAS, AND SOME CONFUSION ABOUT HOW IT'S DISTRIBUTED.

>> SO WE'RE GOING TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH ALL OF THAT.

I WANT TO THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE TODAY.

WE HAVE A WONDERFUL GUEST COMING UP, COMING UP IS THE AJC'S JIM GALLOWAY.

HE'S A POLITICAL REPORTER, AND HE WILL TELL US MORE ABOUT A LOT OF THE THINGS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT INCLUDING SOME INFORMATION HE LET US KNOW ABOUT TODAY INVOLVING SOME OF OUR STATE SENATORS.

♪♪ "LAWMAKERS" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY GEORGIA FARM BUREAU.

WITH OVER 81 YEARS HELPING EVERYONE UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE IN OUR STATE.

THE FARM BUREAU LEGISLATIVE TEAM WORKS TO REPRESENT ALL GEORGIA FARMERS AT THE STATE CAPITOL DURING THE SESSION AND YEAR ROUND.

GEORGIA FARM BUREAU, THE VOICE OF GEORGIA FARMERS.

>>> WE'RE ALL IN THIS FIGHT ALL THE WAY FROM THE 7,000 CLINICIANS SUPPORTING FRONT LINE DOCTORS AND NURSES TO EVERYONE STAYING HOME TO PROTECT OTHERS, FIND ANSWERS TO YOUR MOST PRESSING QUESTIONS.

AT CIGNA.COM/COVID-19.

>>> GEORGIA HUMANITIES CONNECTING PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES ACROSS GEORGIA TO ENCOURAGE CONVERSATION, EDUCATION, AND UNDERSTANDING.

FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.GEORGIAHUMANITIES.ORG.

♪♪ >>> WELCOME BACK TO "LAWMAKERS" ON GPB, I'M DONNA LOWRY.

WE CONTINUE OUR DISCUSSION ON THE 2021 LEGISLATIVE SESSION WITH VETERAN JOURNALIST JIM GALLOWAY.

JIM RETIRES THIS FRIDAY AFTER 41 YEARS.

HE HAS SERVED AS A WRITER, EDITOR AND POLITICAL COLUMNIST.

WELCOME, JIM, THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR THIS.

WHILE YOU'RE LEAVING THE AJC I UNDERSTAND YOU WILL STILL APPEAR ON ""POLITICAL REWIND"" FROM TIME TO TIME.

>> EVERY MONDAY.

>> WE'RE HAPPY TO HEAR THAT.

THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION STARTED WITH THE USUAL UPBEAT NOTE AND THAT WAS HELPED BY OPERA SINGER TIMOTHY MILLER.

HE CERTAINLY ADDED TO THAT COMING OUT OF THIS BRUISING ELECTION SEASON HERE IN GEORGIA.

JIM, WHAT'S YOUR READ ON WHAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE?

WILL WE HAVE VOLATILITY, OR WILL WE HAVE CONSENSUS?

>> FIRST THING, THE FIRST FACTOR IN ALL OF THIS BETWEEN NOW AND THE 40 DAYS IS GOING TO BE THE VIRUS.

CAN THE STATE CAPITAL CONTROL THAT VIRUS, AND CAN WE PREVENT WHAT HAPPENED LAST MARCH WHEN ESSENTIALLY THE CAPITOL WAS SHUT DOWN?

WE'VE GOT STRONGER PROTOCOLS IN PLACE THIS TIME, AND MASKS ARE MANDATORY IN THE SENATE THIS TIME RATHER THAN JUST STRONG SUGGESTIONS.

TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION WHETHER WE'RE GOING TO HAVE CONSENSUS OR MORE POLARIZATION, I THINK WHAT YOU'VE GOT TO DO IS PROBABLY WATCH TWO ISSUES.

FOR THE POLARIZATION ONE, IT'S -- YOU HAVE BECAUSE TRUMP LOST GEORGIA IN THE NOVEMBER 3rd ELECTION, YOU HAVE SOME REPUBLICANS WHO REALLY WANT TO GO AFTER NO EXCUSE VOTING, WHICH WAS SO HELPFUL DURING THE PANDEMIC, AND THEY WANT TO REALLY TIGHTEN THAT DOWN AND BRAD RAFENSBERGER EVEN HAS ADVISED LIMITING IT, BUT YOU HAVE BOTH GEOFF DUNCAN AND DAVID RALSTON, GEOFF DUNCAN, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, HOUSE SPEAKER DAVID RALSTON SAYING, NO, THEY WANT TO GO A LITTLE BIT SOFTER ON THAT.

WHETHER THAT DYNAMIC WINS IS GOING TO BE ONE FACTOR.

HERE'S ANOTHER TEST, THIS IS KIND OF A CANARY IN THE COAL MINE.

ON NOVEMBER 3rd, DEBBIE WILCOX WAS DEFEATED.

SHE WAS CHAIR OF THE MARTA OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE, ALL RIGHT?

THAT'S VACANT RIGHT NOW.

MARY MARGARET OLIVER A DEMOCRAT FROM DECATUR HAS APPLIED FOR THAT.

NOW, NORMALLY THAT SEAT FLIPS BETWEEN FULTON AND DEKALB FROM YEAR TO YEAR, ALL RIGHT?

AND -- BUT THERE IS NO REPUBLICAN LEGISLATOR IN DEKALB COUNTY NOW.

>> WOW.

>> SO SHE'S MADE THAT APPLICATION.

SHE'S A CLOSE FRIEND OF DAVID RALSTON'S WHO IS A REPUBLICAN, AND IF YOU SEE HER NAMED CHAIR OF THAT COMMITTEE, THAT'S GOING TO TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT OF SOMETHING WHERE -- ABOUT WHERE DAVID RALSTON WANTS THIS SESSION TO GO.

>> YEAH, THAT TELLS YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE CONSENSUS.

THE OTHER THING WE KNOW THAT MIGHT IMPACT EVERYTHING DURING THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS THAT EVERY CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICE IS UP FOR GRABS IN THE UPCOMING ELECTION, RIGHT?

SO HOW MUCH -- HOW MUCH DO YOU THINK THAT WILL PLAY?

>> OH, QUITE A BIT.

QUITE A BIT.

YEAH, NUMBER ONE YOU'RE GOING TO SEE -- OF COURSE YOU'RE GOING IT SEE DEMOCRATS DO A FULL COURT PRESS ON EVERY CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT YOU CAN POSSIBLY -- I MEAN OFFICE THAT THEY CAN MUSTER HERE.

>> BECAUSE THEY'RE FEELING REALLY GOOD ABOUT THINGS RIGHT NOW.

>> YEAH, YEAH, AND MUCH LIKE THEY DID IN 2018, ONLY STRONGER, ALL RIGHT?

BUT WHAT YOU ALSO WILL HAVE IN THIS SESSION IS ANOTHER DYNAMIC, A NEW DYNAMIC, AND YOU'RE GOING -- YOU'VE SEEN A SPLIT DEVELOP BETWEEN STATE CAPITOL REPUBLICANS LIKE BRIAN KEMP, DAVID RALSTON AND GEOFF DUNCAN AND CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS WHO HAVE BEEN MOST OF WHOM WHO HAVE BEEN IN LOCK STEP WITH DONALD TRUMP.

ALL RIGHT?

SO YOU'VE GOT THAT TENSION GOING ON, SO YOU COULD SEE A NUMBER OF CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS PRIMARIED THIS YEAR, RATENSBERGER THIS YEAR, MORE THAN LIKELY KEMP WILL GET A PRIMARY CHALLENGE AND THEY'LL ALL BE MAKING MOVES DURING THIS SESSION JUST TO KIND OF BUILD UP THEIR CREDENTIALS.

>> YEAH.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THAT, AND WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT IS WHAT IS REVERBERATING FROM WASHINGTON THAT WILL AFFECT THINGS.

SO THERE'S MORE TO IT THAN JUST THE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICES.

HOW MUCH OF WHAT HAPPENED IN WASHINGTON EVEN LAST WEEK WILL AFFECT THIS SESSION?

>> A GREAT DEAL, A GREAT DEAL.

NUMBER ONE, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT POSITION DONALD TRUMP IS GOING TO SEEK FOR HIMSELF ONCE HE LEAVES OFFICE, WHETHER HE'S JUST GOING TO BE KIND OF A GADFLY TWEETING EVERY NOW AND THEN, IF HE CAN GET A NEW TWITTER ACCOUNT, OR WHETHER HE'S REALLY GOING TO TRY TO SHAPE THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

YOU'LL RECALL JUST ONE MONDAY AGO HE WAS -- HE ANNOUNCED THAT HE WAS GOING TO BE BACKING DOUG COLLINS AGAINST BRIAN KEMP.

>> HARD TO BELIEVE THAT WAS JUST A WEEK AGO.

>> SO THERE'S THAT, BUT YOU ALSO HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT WE HAVE A WASHINGTON THAT WILL SOON BE UNDER COMPLETE DEMOCRATIC CONTROL, AND YOU HAVE TO WONDER WHAT KIND OF INCENTIVES THEY'RE GOING TO DRIVE, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO ISSUES LIKE MEDICARE EXPANSION IN GEORGIA, WHETHER THEY -- WHETHER THERE MIGHT BE A PUSH TO REALLY GET GEORGIA TO TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT THAT.

>> YEAH, AND CERTAINLY GOING TO EMBOLDEN THE DEMOCRATS DOWN AT THE HOUSE.

THEY'RE FEELING REALLY GOOD ABOUT THINGS GIVEN WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK.

LET'S BE MORE SPECIFIC ON THE ELECTION AGAIN, THE ELECTION LAWS, CHANGES TO THAT.

THERE'S NOTHING REALLY FILED SO FAR, BUT WE'RE HEARING OF POSSIBLE CHANGES TO THE NO EXCUSES AS YOU MENTIONED, WHICH ALLOWS ANYONE WHO REQUESTS IT TO GET AN ABSENTEE BALLOT.

AND THEN ALSO CHANGES TO THE SIGNATURES AND ALL, SO LET'S HEAR FIRST WHAT REPRESENTATIVE HE'S THE DEAN OF THE HOUSE, AND I INTERVIEWED HIM THIS MORNING ON THE CHANGES THAT HE EXPECTS.

>> I'M OPPOSED TO ANYTHING THAT WOULD HAMPER THE RIGHTS OF ANY CITIZEN TO VOTE.

PEOPLE HAVE DIED AND SUFFERED FOR THE RIGHT TO VOTE.

AS YOU CAN NOTE IN THE WASHINGTON, D.C., TEMPERS ARE HIGH.

THERE'S A LOT OF ANXIETY.

THERE'S A LOT OF UNEASINESS, BUT TO HAVE A REACTIONARY RESPONSE TO WHAT HAS OCCURRED IN OUR STATE BECAUSE, AFTER ALL, WE'VE BEEN TOLD BY ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT IT WAS A, WHAT, GOOD ELECTION.

THERE WAS NO FRAUD.

SO WITH THAT IN MIND, I JUST -- I JUST THINK WE OUGHT TO MOVE ON.

>> ARE WE GOING TO BE ABLE TO MOVE ON, DO YOU THINK, JIM?

>> WELL, IT'S -- HERE'S -- THIS IS WHERE IT GETS INTERESTING.

LOOK, DEMOCRATS IN THE HOUSE AND IN THE SENATE, THEIR GAINS IN NOVEMBER WERE MINIMAL, JUST MINIMAL, AND YET, BECAUSE YOU'VE REPUBLICAN SIDE, YOU KNOW, DAVID RALSTON DOESN'T KNOW WHEN HE'S GOING TO NEED CALVIN SMIREY AND THE VOTES THAT HE CAN BRING.

HE, YOU KNOW, I'M SURE THERE HE'S GOT PLENTY OF ISSUES THAT HE WOULD LIKE A LITTLE BIT OF HELP WITH, AND IF REPUBLICANS AT THE SAME TIME ARE PRESSING SOME REALLY DRACONIAN CHANGES TO VOTING LAWS IN GEORGIA, HE'S NOT GOING TO GET THAT HELP.

AND THE OTHER THING YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER IS RALSTON HAD GREAT SUCCESS IN FORMULATING A PROGRAM FOR HIS REPUBLICAN CAUCUS MEMBERS WHO LIVED IN SUBURBIA.

THEY HELD ON IN SUBURBIA, AND IF YOU'RE GOING AFTER VOTING RIGHTS, THAT'S NOT -- WITHIN A COLLEGE EDUCATION -- A COLLEGE EDUCATED POPULATION, IT'S NOT GOING TO GO DOWN WELL, AND HE COULD BE THINKING IN THAT MEASURE, TOO.

>> YEAH, AND RALSTON HAS DECIDED THAT HE'S GOING TO HAVE A COMMITTEE THAT'S GOING TO LOOK INTO THE ELECTIONS.

I SPOKE WITH -- I SPOKE WITH A REPUBLICAN THIS MORNING WHO SAID WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING UNTIL WE HEAR WHAT COMES OUT OF THAT COMMITTEE, INTEGRITY.

WE'VE GOT A QUICK SOUNDBITE FROM WHAT THE SPEAKER SAID LAST WEEK.

>> THAT COMMITTEE WILL HAVE TWO PRIMARY CHARGES.

FIRST, TO KEEP OUR ELECTIONS OPEN AND ACCESSIBLE TO ALL REGISTERED VOTERS.

AND SECOND, TO ENSURE PROPER OVERSIGHT AND SECURITY OF OUR ELECTIONS PROCESS.

>> YEAH, SO WE'RE GOING TO WAIT AND SEE WHAT HE HAS TO SAY ABOUT THAT.

BEFORE WE -- WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF TIME LEFT.

I'VE GOT TO TALK WITH YOU ABOUT WHAT YOU'VE LEARNED AND YOU REPORTED ON TODAY WHEN IT COMES TO GEORGIA -- MEMBERS OF GEORGIA'S SENATE AND WASHINGTON.

>> WE KNOW HOW JUST VERY QUICKLY, WE KNOW HOW -- WHAT KIND OF PRESSURE THAT DONALD TRUMP AND OTHER FEDERAL OFFICIALS PUT ON GEORGIA TO AFFECT THE OUTCOME OF THE NOVEMBER 3rd ELECTION.

THAT'S BEEN PRETTY CLEAR.

WHAT WE FOUND OUT TODAY WAS THAT YOU HAD -- ALSO, YOU HAD -- IT WAS GOING THE OTHER WAY.

YOU HAD AT LEAST FIVE STATE SENATORS WRITE A LETTER TO MIKE PENCE SAYING -- ASKING HIM TO HOLD OFF ON THE CERTIFICATION OF THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTES, THE ONES THAT WERE MADE -- THAT WERE CONFIRMED ON WEDNESDAY EVEN AS THE CAPITOL WAS UNDER SIEGE.

>> WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE PEOPLE READ THE AJC TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THAT.

>> PLEASE DO.

>> MORE SPECIFICS.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

WE HOPE YOU'LL COME BACK EVEN THOUGH YOU'RE RETIRED.

WE'LL CALL IT SEMIRETIRED, HUH?

>> SURE.

>> THANK YOU, JIM GALLOWAY.

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